Candidate wants to fix problems (Herman Cain)

Hinesville Coastal Courier ^ | 03/26/2004 | Patrick Donahue , Executive editor

[phil_will1]

"I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired of the status quo," the Republican candidate said. "The status quo is the tax code is a mess, the Social Security structure is a mess and Medicare is a mess. I'm just tired of us not facing the problems and fix the problems."

Cain served on the Economic Growth and Tax Reform Commission, appointed along with Jack Kemp by then Rep. Newt Gingrich and Sen. Bob Dole, to look at alternatives to the tax code.

"We found you cannot fix the current code," he said.

Cain worked on Kemp's campaign when the former New York senator was Dole's running mate in 1996 and also worked on Steve Forbes' presidential campaign. Cain said then Rep. Dick Armey pushed for a flat tax in the early 1990s and the flat tax was a major plank in Forbes' platform.

Cain advocates replacing the national tax code with a national sales tax.

He also said the principles that went into founding Social Security in 1935 were outdated within 10 years, since it didn't assume there would be a World War II or the baby boomers.

"We've known the Social Security structure has been broken for 50 years," Cain, who said he is in the first wave of baby boomers who will test Social Security's limits in seven years, said. "But we couldn't get a collective will of elected leaders to do something."

Cain said former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts told him there weren't enough leaders in Congress. "Seventy percent of the 535 representatives are just happy to be there," Cain said Watts told him. "They are not leaders. They just get led."

A lot of good ideas get stuck in committees, Cain said, or their proponents don't know how to defeat the negative rhetoric lobbed against them.

"It's not that we don't know how to solve the problems," he said. "What's missing is strength of leadership."

Cain is also the author of three books, including "Leadership is Common Sense." Before entering politics, he served as president and chairman of Godfather's Pizza, Inc., and as president and CEO of the National Restaurant Association.

A graduate of Morehouse College and Purdue University, Cain also served as a vice president of Pillsbury and eventually managed 400 Burger King stores around Philadelphia, even flipping burgers on the grill to learn the nuances of store operations.

"I have succeeded against the odds in more situations than I care to remember," he said.

Cain likened the current problems of the tax code, Social Security and Medicare to a tire with a hole in it. Instead of fixing the problem permanently, all Congress does is delay the inevitable.

"All we have done is continue to put air into a tire with a hole in it and see how long it will last," he said.

Cain proposes creating a system of personal retirement accounts and phasing out Social Security over time.

"They did this in Chile in 1980 and it worked," he said. "They had a social security structure similar to ours. Their social security tax rate was 27 percent. Ours is 15.3 percent."

Cain said the Social Security Administration trustees came out in favor of upping the social security tax. "That just puts more air in that tire," he said.

The Citizens Against Government Waste said Wednesday the current Medicare system will run out of money in 15 years. Cain is pushing for a complete overhaul of Medicare and said he wasn't surprised at the announcement.

Of the $440 billion pumped into Medicare each year, Cain said one-third of it goes to administrative costs.

"That is ridiculous," he said. "Every year we have to appropriate more money and benefits go down. Medicare is headed for a train wreck. It would have a ripple effect in the structure of our health care system. They said the only thing we have to do is raise taxes, lower benefits and increase the retirement age. That's the reason the system is broken. This is why I'm running."

Cain said what separates him from his opponents is he won't go away on these issues.

"Everything goes through the tax code," he said. "Everything goes through the revenue machine. I'm not afraid in being aggressive in pushing for the solutions. I plan to challenge the status quo."

Cain will face two congressmen, Johnny Isakson and Mac Collins, in June's primary for the Republican bid to replace outgoing U.S. Sen. Zell Miller. Atlanta businessman Al Bartell also is running for the Republican nomination.

[phil_will1]

"I just got home from that Cobb debate he was supposed to attend. What did you think of it?"

I thought that Herman was impressive, but I was not surprised at that. Mac was actually weaker than I had thought he would be, and Al Bartell was better than I anticipated. I voted for Bartell for Lt. Gov 2 years ago, but he's no Herman Cain. Early in the debate, Mac went over his allotted time every single question. I thought that hurt him ... especially since he wasn't saying anything noteworthy to begin with.

Skipping debates is not unusual for a frontrunner, but I think this tactic may hurt Johnny if Herman continues to build momentum, especially with Johnny's reputation as a flip-flopper. Herman has Johnny in his sights and he just may catch him.

Herman's supporters were certainly more visible and enthusiastic last night; it will be interesting to see if that remains the case in a debate in which Johnny shows up. BTW, there is another debate on May 1 in Gwinnett and I believe Johnny will grace that event with his presence.

[phil_will1]

"I was disappointed that Mr. Isakson didn't attend, and after hearing Cain speak, I can see why he wouldn't want to. I had never heard Cain before the debate, and I was amazed by the solidly conservative content of his speeches, not to mention his eloquence. I think Cain had a more better message than both Bartell and Collins, and he was certainly the superior debater (although Bartel had his moments)."

I thought Herman was relaxed, confident, articulate and dynamic. You can tell that he is a motivational speaker. Johnny always reminds me (if you will forgive my bluntness) of someone in dire need of a 45 minute nap. Mr. Charisma he is not. I haven't seen them on the same stage together yet, but I am guessing that the contrast will be vivid.

Herman, BTW, is just as good in person - one on one. Very positive and upbeat, but a great listener, too. No wonder he is gathering such momentum.

I hear that south Georgia is taking to him in a big way, also. I can smell an upset brewing.

[UlsterDavy]

While on the phone with a friend the other night, we were talking about the lack of Johnny at the upcoming Cobb debate. My friend said he would make a "Where's Johnny?" sign - it got Herman's attention, it got the media's attention and it has gotten a lot of people talking. I am trying to get him to go to the next debate that Johnny isn't there with the sign and wear a chicken suit!

[UlsterDavy]

"I hear that south Georgia is taking to him in a big way, also. I can smell an upset brewing."

North Georgia is too! AND we are infiltrating Johnny's own district too!!!

[phil_will1]

"I am trying to get him to go to the next debate that Johnny isn't there with the sign and wear a chicken suit!"

LOL!! Cluck, cluck ......

Johnny may rue the day he decided to skip any debates.

[UlsterDavy]

JOIN HERMAN AT THE FOLLOWING GOP SENATE CANDIDATES DEBATES!

Cherokee County Critical Issues Forum
April 26, 2004
Cherokee Justice Center
90 North Street
Canton, Georgia
7 p.m.


Gwinnett County Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Debate
May 1, 2004
Gwinnett Convention Center
6400 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, Georgia
6:30 p.m.

Forsyth County Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Debate
May 6, 2004
Cumming City Hall
100 Main Street
Cumming, Georgia
8 p.m.

Skidaway Island Republican Club and
Savannah Area Republican Women's Club
U.S. Senate Candidate Debate
May 24, 2004
Skidaway Island Methodist Church
54 Diamond Causeway
Savannah, Georgia
7 p.m.

Herman is taking his message of common sense conservatism every day across Georgia.

Join other TEAM CAIN members at these debates to show your support for Herman Cain – Georgia’s next U.S. Senator!

VOTE HERMAN CAIN JULY 20!

Herman Cain for US Senate
Forest Park, Georgia 30297 Valdosta, Georgia 31601
info@cainforussenate.org

[Republican Red]

I'm in Isakson's district. Cain has my support and my vote in July.

[eyespysomething]

Will all the candidates be at all the debates? Will those be actual debates?

I am looking forward to the May 1st one. Me and Mr. Eyespy are trying to get his brother and SIL to go. We figure the more people who see him (Mr. Cain) in person, the more support he'll have. And if they each tell 1-2 other people...

I can't WAIT for Herman Cain to get to DC.

When asked why he wouldn't become another inside the beltway politician, he answered, because I won't drink their water. Now a N GA company is bottling Herman Cain water, hee hee.

What an inspiration, what a role model, what an American success story!

[UlsterDavy]

So far Johnny is only coming to the May 1st decate in Gwinnett of the above three of four. I know here in Forsyth County that it is a true Lincoln Douglas debate where candidates ask each other questions. We ain't scared!

I hear the Johnny is feeling the pressure and may well attend more now. My friend's "Where's Johnny?" sign at the Cobb debate the other night has helped round up the chicken. :) Expect to see a lot more of those signs... I will be at the Forsyth, Cherokee and Gwinnett debates.

"Where's Johnny?"
"Have you seen Johnny?"

LOL

[UlsterDavy]

I forgot to say this:

There are other debates too ... Augusta June 12th, Georgia Press June 12 or 17, Atlanta Press July 18. These three (along with Gwinnett May 1) are the only four I believe Johnny is showing up at so far. Of course, that may change if Johnny feels the pressure. Then of course, Herman will shine!